UDC Firebirds Lose Tough Game to Tuskegee, 69-65

Pensacola, Fl: December 31, 2010-- Playing without the services of their team captain and overall scoring leader, Lillian McGill (Criminal Justice-Sumter, SC), the University of the District of Columbia Firebirds Women's Basketball Team could not sustain their offensive firepower as they fell to the Tuskegee University Golden Tigers, 69-65, today, in the University of West Florida Holiday Classic in Pensacola Florida.  McGill, who was among several members of the Firebirds team suffering from a virus during the Tournament was unable to suit up for today's game.

UDC led at the break, 35-33, but Tuskegee rallied in the second half to outscore them, 36-30, and take the win. Junior forward Jamilia Bonner (Accounting-Mobile, Al) led all Firebirds in scoring with 17 points, 4 rebounds and 5 steals. Bonner was also named to the All-Tournament Team.  Junior forward Dohnay Banice ( Business Administration- Wilmington, DC) followed with a double-double performance of 15 points and 10 rebounds, her second of the season. Junior forward Aida Gueye (Business Management-Alexandria, VA), starting in place of McGill, added 8 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block and 2 steals.

The teams were evenly matched in field goal percentage for the game, with each shooting 39 percent, 27 for 70/UDC and 22 for 57/TU. However, there were major differences in shooting from beyond the arc with UDC making 29 percent (6 for 21) while Tuskegee shot 50 percent (5 for 10).  UDC shot 46 percent (5 for 11) from the charity stripe as Tuskegee converted 71 percent (20 for 28) of their free-throws.

Tequila Martin paced the Golden Tigers to the win with a game-high 26 point, 9 rebound performance, followed by Nnenna Eze, who added 19 points, 9 rebounds and 2 assists.

The Firebirds led in several statistical categories, including points off turnovers (26-19), points in paint (38-30), 2nd chance points (16-15) and bench points. The Golden Tigers controlled the boards (51-38). Foul trouble haunted the Firebirds as they were charged with 24 personal fouls, while the Golden Tigers were only assessed 14.

The Firebirds fell to 7-6 with this loss, but they look to rebound in the New Year when they play the Fayetteville State Broncos at home on January 3, at 5:30 p.m.